In addition to today’s soon-to-be-mocked entry (you cold-hearted bastards), we’ll be doing a super-special liveblog of Episode #400, the big season finale that airs this Sunday the 20th, so come on back for that on Sunday night if you’ve got the stones.

But for now, let’s get to today’s entry in the Cromulent 20 which calls for mostly amused stares, a Homer Stupidity reading below 0 and light flurries of laughter.

Why This Episode Is Particularly Cromulent

The Adam West cameo is an all-timer, especially with the slow camera angle movement in his monologue, and his total ridiculousness. The man knows camp.

Any time we get to remember Phil Hartman as Troy McClure is always a good day, and the first film of his “You may remember me…” schtick is one of my all-time faves. I mean, who *wouldn’t* want to watch “The Erotic Adventures of Hercules“?

The “McMahon & Tate” CK-like ad is spot-on and is sublime and I laugh every time I hear Crazy Vaclav yells “PUT IT IN H!!!”.

If the second half was as strong as the first, it’d be top 10 material, but as it is, it’s enough to make it to #12…

Notes and Observations

This episode was referenced in an episode of “The Family Guy”

Paraphrasing the Spanish Plow King song: “Mr. Plow is not a real man; he’s more of a drunk”

They waited to animate the George Bush bit in case he got re-elected (uhhh…he didn’t).

Bart getting peppered with snowballs is a direct reference to Sonny buying it in “Godfather”* – corrected – thanks, Alex.

I use Barney’s SAT prep line anytime I want to look smart, and Homer’s closing line anytime I want to look sexy.

Memorable Quotes

Troy: Live! from Hawaii’s beautiful Malaki Island– we’re not just for lepers anymore! It’s “Carnival of the Stars”! I’m your host, Troy McClure. You may remember me from such films as “The Erotic Adventures of Hercules” and “Dial M for Murderousness“

Insurance Agent: Now, before I give you the cheque, one more question. This place “Moe’s” you left just before the accident. This is a business of some kind?Homer: <to himself>Don’t tell him you were at a bar…But what else is open at night?
It’s a pornography store. I was buying pornography.
<to himself> Heh heh heh. I woulda never thought of that.

Crazy Vaclav: She’ll go 300 hectares on a single tank of kerosene…Put it in H!

George Bush: Homer, I’ve got to sneak these valuable artworks out of the White House, but I can’t get out of my driveway because of these protesters!

What to do about those dirty protesters…

Homer: Well, I really should discuss this with my wife.Salesman: Your wife? <makes the whhhht-chhhh! imaginary whip noise>Homer: What, you think I’m going to buy a $20,000 truck just because you make that noise?Salesman: <whhhht-chhhh!> <whhhht-chhhh!> <whhhht-chhhh!>Homer: I’ll take it!

Marge: I can’t believe you bought that plow. We can’t afford it!Homer: If you’re going to get mad at me every time I do something stupid, then I guess I’ll just have to stop doing stupid things!Marge: Good!Homer: Fine! I’ll never, ever, ever do another stupid thing. Good night!
<oof!>

Homer: It may be on a lousy channel, but The Simpsons are on TV!
<his commercial plays>
Are you tired of having your hands cut off by snowblowers?
And the inevitable heart attacks that come with shoveling snow?
My prices are so low, you’ll think I suffered brain damage!Call Mr. Plow! That’s my name! That name again is Mr. Plow!

Quimby: Mr. Plow, for making it possible for people to get where they’re going without resorting to public transportation or car-pooling, I give you the key to the city.

Homer: How could you, Barney? After all I’ve done for you…
<flashback to SAT prep>Barney: “Lachrymose” is to “dyspeptic” as “ebullient” is to…”effervescent”.

Barney: So long, Superman! Your secret identity is safe with me!

Homer: Oh, you want the Mr. Plow who plows driveways. This is Tony Plow. You know, from “Leave it to Beaver”?…Yeah, they were gay.

Quimby: The torch has been passed to a new generation of snow plow people….c’mon, give me the key. These look like teeth marks…Homer: I thought there was chocolate inside.

Homer: Our forecast calls for flurries of passion followed by extended periods of gettin’ it on.
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Summary

How could someone abuse their body that way? Moe! don’t throw out that brine!

Yep, just like a nice, big jar of brine on a hot summer day, this episode really refreshes…